TIGERS RECORD THEIR BEST WIN OF THE SEASON AT HOME TO SILHOUETTES

LNC Tigers   42 - 15   Silhouettes

Starting Line-up: GK Lucy Smale, GD Vicki Hastings, WD Holly Lemon, C Julia Eldridge, WA Jo Glossop, GA Amie Hoskin, GS Sophie Hocking. Res. Debbie Drinkell.

With the absence of Emma Dalton, Julia Eldridge stepped into the Centre position. Liskeard opened the scoring and quickly found themselves 5 goals in front. Good circle play by GA Amie Hoskin, netting all but one attempt in the quarter, gave the Tigers a 10-6 lead after the first period.

Silhouettes changed their shooter for the second quarter but GK Lucy Smale’s strong defending eliminated the player and ensured she wasn’t able to convert any goals. The Tigers intercepted loose passes throughout the court and had control of the game from early on. Both shooters found their range and focussed on their set plays to work the ball from Eldridge and WA Jo Glossop into the circle and Liskeard took the quarter 12 goals to 4.

Cougar’s captain Debbie Drinkell stepped up to the mark in the third quarter as Eldridge was rested. Nervous, but keen to play, Drinkell listened to the team and worked well in the mid court with sister Glossop. Both teams had a low scoring, tentative quarter with missed opportunities throughout the court. Tigers defence dominated and despite more attempts at goal for Silhouettes, GD Vicki Hastings and Smale ensured just two goals were scored.

Eldridge returned for the final period, which was by far the Tigers best. The whole team upped their game, despite an already strong lead. Both WD Holly Lemon and Glossop were relentless throughout the court, intercepting where possible and keeping possession to ensure Silhouettes were kept out of the game.

A stronger quarter by both shooters with GS Sophie Hocking leading the play in the attacking third, creating space for Hoskin in the circle to ensure a better chance at goal. Again, the Silhouettes attack were silenced by Hastings, Lemon and Smale, fewer attempts at goal and few converted enabled the Tigers to secure their best win to date.

Coach Rudi Britz was thrilled with the team, saying “Tonight’s result came as no surprise to me, as the level of our game has improved dramatically. We had a very close encounter against Newquay 1 who are currently unbeaten in Division 2. It just proves that we have increased our game to a much higher level.

I just hope that the Tigers start to believe in themselves a bit more now. After a very comfortable win last night, the players should realise that they are a team to watch out for. Both Umpires spoke to me after the match, each complimenting on our fantastic defence throughout the game. You only have to look at the end score to see that it was superb. Lucy and Vicki did an amazing job defending the GS and GA and kept their chances of scoring to a minimum.

Overall we saw lots of interceptions by everyone, and at the end of the match it was not an easy task to choose the player of the match. But well done to Jo who played out of her skin and was awarded Coach's Player of the match for her efforts.

We still have to improve in certain areas of our game as well as timing issues but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day. I'm excited about our future and can't wait to do some more work, taking us to yet another level. Well done girls, you made me proud.”

Pictures by Glen Rogers